Country cancer death rates are higher because of costs

COUNTRY cancer sufferers are dying at up to three times the rate of city patients as they struggle to access the same treatments with a lack of government support, the Cancer Council claims.

Concerned that some patients are delaying or avoiding vital treatment due to the extra costs, the Cancer Council is urging the Napthine Government to review its Victorian Patient Transport Assistance Scheme.

Despite having to travel and stay in Melbourne for weeks on end to undergo treatments not available in regional Victoria, the government only reimburses country patients $35 a night for accommodation which costs an average of $100.

As it pushes to have the allowance lifted to $75 a night in line with other states, as well as boosting Victoria's 19c a kilometre travel reimbursement, the Cancer Council Victoria says some patients are left up to $10,000 out of pocket or avoiding care.

"At a time when survival from cancer diagnosis is at an all time high, with 65 per cent of people living at least five ears beyond a diagnosis, it's important that we encourage as many people as possible to take advantage of the advances in treatment that can impact on both quality and quantity of life," Cancer Council Victoria chief executive Todd Harper said.

"Two of the most stressful experiences people can go through is facing a serious health issue, another is serious financial difficulty. We find people who are going through a cancer journey will often face both of those."

Wendy McPhan, 50, had to pay $210 a night for accommodation for her and her two daughters when she travelled from Bairnsdale to the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre for treatment for breast cancer.

Already more than $4000 out of pocket from her treatment, Ms McPhan is facing further costs as she supports her elderly father as he travels to Melbourne for cancer treatment.

"You end up paying anything because you need to be close to the hospital," Ms McPhan said.

A spokesman for Health Minister David Davis, Ashley Gardiner, said the Government would review the travel reimbursement scheme as part of its normal cycle.